Wave energy converter

Abstract

A wave energy converter (10) for extracting useful energy from wave motion. The converter (10) comprises an active float (12) that is arranged to float on the water, and being arranged to heave and surge in response to wave motion acting on the active float, and an elongate reactive body (14) that is arranged to be suspended in a substantially submerged state into the water and having sufficient surface area and length such that it pitches in response to wave motion-acting on the reactive body. The active float (12) and reactive body (14) are pivotably coupled for pivotable movement relative to each other about a single pivot axis (16) in response to heaving and surging of the active float and pitching of the reactive body. The converter also comprises a power output system that is driven by the pivotable movement about the pivot axis to capture the useful energy.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0001]The present invention relates to a wave energy converter. In particular, although not exclusively, the wave energy converter is capable of extracting useful energy, such as electrical energy for example, from wave motion in a body of liquid, such as but not necessarily the sea.BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION[0002]Wave energy has been identified as one possible source of renewable energy. Various wave energy conversion devices have been proposed that aim to extract useful energy from wave motion in a body of liquid, such as the sea. Waves are created through the transfer of wind energy to the surface of bodies of water. Wave energy is propagated for long distances in deep water with minimal attenuation by interactive velocity and pressure fluctuations within the body of water. Fifty percent of the energy is propagated by pressure fluctuations and fifty percent by velocity fluctuations. A successful wave energy conversion device must maximise interaction with t...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0012]Preferably, the active float is arranged to have a low to medium inertia in both the vertical and horizontal directions to enhance heave and surge movements respectively.

[0013]Preferably, the active float is shaped with one or more drag surfaces upon which the wave motion acts to enhance surge movements.

[0019]Preferably, the active float is a substantially elongate component extending between a first end proximal to the reactive body and a second end distal to the reactive body, the cross-sectional area between the ends being defined peripherally by opposed top and bottom surfaces that are joined by opposed side surfaces, the top surface being arranged to face skyward and the bottom surface being arranged to face toward and into the liquid. More preferably, the first and / or second ends of the active float act as a drag surface upon which wave motion acts to create drag force to enhance surge movements of the active float.

[0020]Preferably, the reactive body is arranged to have a medium to high inertia in the vertical direction to minimize heave movements that are in-phase with the wave motion acting on the reactive body and low to medium rotational inertia about a horizontal axis that is parallel to the pivot axis to enhance pitch movements of the reactive body in response to wave motion acting on the reactive body.

[0021]In one form, the reactive body is at least partially hydrofoil-shaped such that substantially vertical wave motion acting on the reactive body creates a horizontal lift force on the reactive body to enhance pitch movements of the reactive body. In another form, the reactive body comprises one or more hydrofoil-shaped components upon which substantially vertical wave motion acts to create a horizontal lift force on the reactive body to enhance pitch movements of the reactive body.

[0041]In another form, the active float is indirectly pivotally coupled to the reactive body via a sub-frame that is connected at one end to the active float and pivotally coupled at the other to the reactive body. Preferably, the sub-frame is securely connected at or toward the middle of the active float relative to its length, the active float being pivotally coupled to the sub-frame for pivotal movement relative to the sub-frame such that the active float has two degrees of freedom in that it can pivot relative to the reactive body and pivot relative to the sub-frame to maximise surface contact of the active float with the liquid during wave motion in that the orientation of the active float can conform for maximum contact with the liquid during wave motion. More preferably, the sub-frame is securely and rigidly fixed to the active float such that the active float has one degree of freedom in that it can pivot relative to the reactive body.

Problems solved by technology

It is difficult to design a cost effective device of this size which can respond to short term changes in wave characteristics, and so large devices tend to have low overall conversion efficiency.

Some power take-off techniques limit adaptability to wave conditions and defeat the inherent responsive benefits of point absorbers.

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